Combined carpet-stretcher and tack-hammer.



PATBNTED 001.122.1907. D. L. ERVIN. I GOMBINEDGARPET STRBTGHER AND TACK HAMMER.

-APPLIOATION FILED APR. 30, 1906,

#672; v entor.

lww l I Attorneys IORRIS PETERS CUm'WSHINCTON, u, c

DABNIIY LIPSOOMB ERVIN, OF COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI COMBINED GARPET-STRETCHER AND TACK-HAMMER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 22, 1907.

Application filed April 30, 1906. Serial No. 314,563.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, DABNEY LirsooMB ERVIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbus, in the county of Lowndes and State of Mississippi, have invented a new and useful Combined Carpet-Stretcher and Tack-Hammer, of which the following is a speci- [i cai ion This invention relates to combined carpet strctchers and tack hammers, and has for its object to materially simplify such devices and to facilitate the manipulationthereof in first stretching the carpet and then driving a tack tlmrothrough. It is proposed to have the hammer POWOY-(lllVPll and capable of being conveniently tripped or released so as to drive the tack without relieving any of the strain from the carpet, whereby the carpet may be effectually tacked at the point to which it has been stretched.

A further object of the invention is to regulate the power for actuating the hammer in accordance with the size of tack being driven and to satisfy the varying conditions under which the tool may be used.

A still further object of the invention is to enable the use of the device in the capacity of an ordinary tack hammer independently of the stretcher without re quiring any adjustment or dismantling of the tool.

With these and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawing and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, it beingv understood that changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details may be made, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit or sacrilicing any of the advantages of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing:Figure l is a side elevation of the combined carpet stretcher and tack hammer of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view. Fig. 4 is a view of the detachable handle which is used when the device is employed as a carpet stretcher. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary detail view illustrating another form of power for the hammer.

Like characters of reference designate corresponding parts in each and everyfigure of the drawing.

The stock 1 of the present tool may be of wood or metal as desired and is pierced throughout its length by a longitudinal bore, the upper portion 2 of which is larger than the lower portion 3, thereby forming an annular internal shoulder 4. Working endwise in the bore of the stock is a hammer bar or stem 5 provided at its upper end with any ordinary form of hammer head (5 which is disposed externally of the upper end of the stock. A suitable cap 7 closes the upper end of the stock and constitutes a guide for the hammer bar which pierces the cap. A helical spring 8 embraces the hammer bar within the portion 2 of the bore of the stock with its upper end bearing against the cap 7 and its lower end engaging a washer 9 supported upon a pin 10 piercing and extending at opposite sides of the hammer bar. The annular shoulder 4 forms a stop for the downward movement of the washer 9 and thereby prevents the spring from dropping out through the open bottom of the bore.

That portion of the hammer bar which lies within the lower portion 3 of the stock is provided with a series of ratchet notches or teeth 11, with which the upper free end of a ratchet dog 12 cooperates, said dog being pivoted intermediate of its ends as at 13 in a socket or recess 14 formed in the exterior of the stock and intersecting the bore so as to give the dog access to the notches or teeth of the hammer bar.

By preference, the lower portion of the stock is en larged downwardly, and in one side thereof a metallic plate 15 is secured by suitable fastenings 16, the lower edge of the plate being projected beyond the stock and toothedas at 17 to form a stretcher foot. Mounted upon this stretcher plate is a clamping member 18 in the nature of a relatively broad plate which tapers upwardly to form a finger-piece 19, the plate being pivoted intermediate of its ends in suitable bearings 20 provided upon the stretcher plate. A helical spring 21 is interposed between the back of the finger-piece 19 and the plate 15 so as to hold the broad free lower end of the clamp member against the stretcher foot.

An arched handle 22 is used in connection with the stock and is provided at its ends with the respective ribs 23 and 24 designed to take into seats or recesses 25 and 26 formed in opposite end portions of the stock, there being substantially U-shaped metallic spring clips 27 and 28 carried by the ends of the handle to dotachably embrace the stock.

In practice, the teeth or prongs of the stretcher foot are engaged with the carpet and the entire device pushed forwardly by manipulation of the handle 22, the hammer bar, of course, having been previously drawn up and supported in'its elevated position by the dog 12. After the hammer bar has been elevated and prior to engaging the stretcher foot With the carpet, the head of a tack is placed against the lower end of the hammer bar, the latter preferably being a permanent magnet so as to hold the tack in position to be driven. When the carpet has been stretched to the desirable point, the dog 12 is disengaged from the hammer bar, whereupon the latter will be shot down by the spring 8 and the tack driven in a positive and effective manner.

When it is desired to use the hammer head 6, the handle 22 is detached, whereupon the device may be employed in the manner of an ordinary tack hammer. By means of the dog 12, the hammer bar may be held projected to any suitable extent beyond the stock so as to increase the available handle length when using the head 6.

The purpose of the clamp 18 is to positively hold the free edge of a carpet or the like in engagement with the stretcher foot Whenever such clamping means may become necessary.

In lieu of the spring 8. shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing, an elastic band 29 may be employed as shown in Fig. 5, said band embracing the hammer head and secured to opposite sides of the stock by suitable fastenings 30.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed is:-

l. A tack hammer comprising a stock having spaced sockets, a longitudinally adjustable hammer bar slidably mounted within the stock, a handle projected laterally from the stock and seated in said sockets, means for forcibly projecting the bar beyond one end of the stock, and means to hold the bar at diiferent retracted positions.

2. A tack hammer comprising a stock, a spring pressed hammer bar adjustable longitudinally of the stock, a laterally projected arched handle provided with terminal spring clips detachably embracing the stock, means to forcibly project the bar beyond one end of the stock, and means to hold the bar at different retracted positions.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

DABNEY LIPSCOMB ERVIN.

Witnesses:

B. MATTHEws, S. I. SMITH. 

